Scholarly Concentration and Capstone

Fostering Leadership Potential

The Master of Science Degree in Physician Assistant Studies Program desires to develop exceptional clinical PAs and future PA leaders. Beyond the core curriculum and clerkships, students are required to select an area of scholarly concentration. The scholarly concentrations are intended to foster leadership potential in each student in one of four domains. These scholarly areas include Community Health, Health Services and Policy Research, Clinical Research, and Medical Education.

Scholarly Concentrations

Students will be required to complete a minimum of 6 credits in their selected concentration and complete a Capstone Project.

The scholarly concentration in Clinical Research provides PAs with a strong foundation from which they can lead clinical research studies and meaningfully contribute to the body of medical knowledge. Students will become adept at protocol design, the principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), statistics, the conduct of clinical and epidemiological studies, and the interpretation of study results.

The scholarly concentration in Community Health empowers PAs to assess and improve the health of diverse communities and reduce health inequities through leadership, innovative scholarship and community engagement.

The scholarly concentration in Health Services and Policy Research will familiarize PAs with the methods of health services and policy research to allow for leadership in the Health Services and Policy arena. Students will learn research methodology, epidemiology and concepts to improve access to and delivery of high-quality health care by using probability and statistics to assess the care landscape.

Introduction to Concepts and Methods in Health Services and Policy Research I

Introduction to Concepts and Methods in Health Services and Policy Research II

The scholarly concentration in Medical Education will equip PAs to be leaders in the classroom . Students will be able to understand and appraise diverse learning environments, implement innovative learning design and technology, and drive effective curriculum development.